Pastoral Care
Our vision is to develop boys into young men who are confident and able to pursue their dreams. Young men that are resilient, adaptable, and equipped with the academic, ethical, social and emotional competencies to effect significant and lasting change in a changing world. We strive to create an environment in which all of our boys can participate fully and grow into their full potential.
The broad vision aims to:
• Effectively meet the personal, social (wellbeing) and academic needs of our boys and staff.
• Develop positive self-esteem and a sense of social cohesion.
• Help boys attain skills required to adapt to the changing world outside of school.
• Create ‘mindfulness’, which in turn will lead to resilience and adaptability.
• Address the anxiety felt by boys on leaving school regarding further education and employment opportunities.
• Address issues of cultural and sexual identity.
• Develop personal characteristics that include a positive self-image and good grooming.
• Foster and emphasise the Rondebosch passion and “gees”.
House System & Tutor Classes
The school has introduced a House System in the form of Tutor Classes, whereby, instead of having learners of the same grade together for register period in the morning, every learner is allocated to a combined grade tutor class with approximately 4 – 5 boys from grade 8 – 12. This creates a balance in terms of age, academic and other abilities, ethnicity and interests. New friendship groups forge with boys from different backgrounds and ages. Important leadership and pastoral matters are also discussed during the morning Tutor Class registration periods.
Channels of communication are detailed here.
House Directors & Tutor Teachers
Tutor groups are managed by a tutor teacher who will get to know every learner in his/her tutor group. Tutor teachers report directly to the Assistant House Directors. The Tutor teacher sets the tone for the day and follows the same procedures every day. Tutor groups meet every morning for admin registration and have a longer slot during the week. The tutor teacher acts as the daily face-to-face, non-academic contact.
The tutor teacher walks a five-year path with his/her tutor class. This, along with the increased contact time during tutor periods, allows the tutor teachers to play a more effective pastoral role in the lives of our boys. More meaningful interactions with the learners are possible, along with the opportunity to monitor the hair and uniform policies of the school more effectively.
Channels of communication are detailed here.
We can help our boys develop into confident young men by encouraging them to take ownership of their responsibilities and communications. Please empower your boys to take their concerns to the relevant person. Where your son needs your intervention, please email the staff member directly involved as your first port of call.
Channels of communication are detailed here.
The Counselling Department has access to a network of professionals in social and psychological services for learners, in consultation with their parents, to be referred to when needed. This sometimes involves a programme of intervention, to support the learner in managing school life. Read more
Our vision is to provide a programme that exposes all of our boys to leadership opportunities at every level. We want the boys to be constantly challenged by teachers and their peers. Our principles and practices are aligned with the school’s educational mission and vision, so all of the planned activities revolve around what is best for our boys.
We have a road-map of leadership development planned for our boys with the objective of allowing every single one young man to have access to opportunities to gain leadership skills. We have opened a ‘leadership bank account’ for every Bosch boys and hope that they, through this programme, will invest in their own future.
BOSCH STAIRCASE OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The Journey is a 10-day leadership adventure on foot, undertaken by all grade 10 Learners at Rondebosch Boys’ High School. The Bosch Journey is about the boys living and working in a small community, in an outdoor environment, away from the traditional comforts of everyday life. It is regarded as a rite of passage at school – it falls into that critical stage of development where our boys experience a strong need for acceptance and are trying to establish their place within a group. The Journey has a real impact on school life because the whole grade is involved and are bonded through their shared experiences.
The Journey aims to:
- Provide experiences that will help to equip boys with the skills that allow them to make life decisions to cope in an ever-changing world.
- Develop the boys’ leadership skills. In some cases, it offers an opportunity to learn fundamental skills of independence, cooking my own meals, cleaning my own utensils, testing my ability to make decisions and act without my parents’ advice and
- Develop each boy in relation to himself, his community and the environment.
Read more here
Go Study
Go Study offers Career Guidance at Rondebosch Boys High School so you can make an informed career decision. The website covers subject choices, career options, scholarships, study courses and tertiary institutions. While you are there, complete the career questionnaire to help identify career fields suited to you. Once you have completed the questionnaire your results will be displayed showing your interest fields. Select these fields to explore occupations and study opportunities.
